What does ‘Gypsier’ mean in this context and what do the images say about being a gypsy?

The London Gypsy & Traveller Unit

The Advertising Standards Authority had 97 complaints claiming promos for the Channel 4 show were racist.

Billboard ads hailing the new series as “Bigger. Fatter. Gypsier” printed over pictures of scantily-clad gypsy girls sparked outrage.

The 800-strong traveller community in Hackney, east London, staged a demonstration, claiming the ads stigmatise travellers.

And the London Gypsy & Traveller Unit wrote to TV bosses saying: “What does ‘Gypsier’ mean in this context and what do the images say about being a gypsy?

“It is hurtful and damaging to use the correct descriptive term for an ethnic group as a sly dig at that group. We wonder if Channel 4 would have been so ready to use adverts with phrases like ‘Jewisher’ or ‘more Asian’ or ‘Blacker’?”

And they mocked up their own poster to highlight the point.

The fake ad shows a black woman on a smart car with the words: “Bigger. Blingier. Blacker.”

The hit TV show, which follows gypsy brides as they plan their weddings, attracted more than seven million viewers last year and Tuesday’s first episode of the new series drew in 5.7million.

But residents of Hackney’s five traveller sites are raging.

Irish traveller Christine Crawley, from Lower Clapton, said the posters made her “feel sick”, and that her daughter had been called a “prostitute” because of how the show portrayed her community.

But Channel 4 insists: “The word ‘Gypsier’ refers to the fact that this series offers greater access to the communities.”

The ASA is investigating whether the broadcaster has broken the advertising code.